BLACK+DECKER CM1160 Drip coffee maker: Full Review

Black+Decker is one of the most well-known and respected brands when it comes to home appliances and tools. Founded in 1910, the company has over 100 years of experience designing and manufacturing innovative products for the home.

The Black+Decker name is practically synonymous with reliability, durability, and quality across categories like power tools, lawn and garden equipment, kitchen appliances, and more. When you buy a Black+Decker product, you can expect it to deliver consistent performance and stand the test of time.

For those looking for an easy-to-use, programmable drip coffee maker with trusted Black+Decker quality, the Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker CM1160B is definitely worth considering. This review will provide an in-depth look at the key features, performance, pros and cons of this popular drip coffee maker model from the house of Black+Decker.

Overview

The BLACK+DECKER CM1160 is a 12-cup programmable drip coffee maker with a variety of useful features. This coffeemaker has a sleek and compact design that doesn't take up much counter space. The CM1160 brews up to 12 cups of coffee at a time, perfect for family breakfasts or dinner parties.

Some of the key features of this drip coffee maker include a programmable digital clock with delay brew setting, sneak-a-cup pause and serve function, a removable filter basket, and dual water windows to easily see current water levels. The CM1160 also has an auto shut-off function for added safety and convenience. This coffeemaker delivers great tasting coffee in an affordable and easy-to-use package.

In comparison, the Ninja CM401 offers even more versatility with its multi-brew options, allowing you to customize your coffee strength and serving size. This coffee maker can brew anywhere from one cup to a full carafe, making it ideal for both single servings and larger gatherings. It features a rich brew option for those who prefer a bolder flavor, and a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours without a warming plate. The user-friendly controls make it easy to operate and adjust settings to your liking.

Design

The Black+Decker CM1160 has an attractive, modern design made of durable plastic with a stainless steel accent panel. It measures 9.9 x 7.7 x 14.6 inches, so it has a nice slim profile that won't take up too much counter space.

The coffee maker comes in black with a brushed stainless steel front panel that gives it a sleek, sophisticated look. The black plastic has a smooth, matte finish that resists fingerprints. There are no other color options available.

Overall, the CM1160 has a simple but elegant look that will fit right in with most kitchen decors. The mix of black plastic and stainless steel gives it a nice two-tone aesthetic. The smooth curves and slim shape help it maintain a small footprint. While made of plastic, the materials feel sturdy and built to last. The stainless accents and matte black finish give it a modern vibe.

In addition, the BLACK+DECKER CM0755S features a compact design perfect for smaller kitchens. Its sleek stainless steel finish not only enhances durability but also adds a touch of elegance. The CM0755S has a capacity of up to 12 cups, making it an excellent choice for coffee lovers who enjoy entertaining. With a user-friendly control panel, brewing your favorite cup of coffee has never been easier. Ideal for those who appreciate both style and functionality, this model is a great addition to any countertop.

Features

The Black + Decker CM1160 has several useful features that allow you to customize your brew.

• Programmable Timer: You can program the CM1160 to automatically brew coffee at a certain time. This lets you wake up to a fresh pot of coffee or have coffee ready when you get home from work. The timer is easy to set in 10-minute increments up to 24 hours.

• Brew Strength Control: The CM1160 lets you choose regular or bold coffee strength to match your preferences. The bold setting utilizes a slower brewing process to extract more flavor from the coffee grounds.

• Auto Shut-Off: The coffee maker will automatically turn off 2 hours after brewing is complete. This helps prevent accidental burnout if you forget to turn it off.

• Water Level Indicator: There are water level markings on the side of the water reservoir so you can easily see how much water you need to add. No more guessing if you have enough water in the reservoir.

Performance

The CM1160B brews a full pot of coffee in around 7-8 minutes, which is pretty standard for a drip coffee maker in this price range. The water is heated to the ideal brewing temperature of 195-205°F before being dispersed over the coffee grounds. This helps extract the best flavor from the beans.

The carafe is designed with an insulated stainless steel liner that keeps coffee hot for longer. It has a drip-free pour spout and clear viewing window so you can see how much coffee is left. The carafe can hold up to 12 cups of coffee.

Some reviewers mention that the hot plate can overheat and burn the coffee if left on for too long after brewing. So it's best to turn the plate off once the brew cycle is complete if you won't be drinking the coffee right away. But overall, the CM1160B delivers solid brewing performance given its affordable price point.

Ease of Use

The CM1160B coffee maker from Black & Decker is designed for convenient, everyday use. Here are some of the ease of use features:

Controls

The control panel on the CM1160B is straightforward with programmable buttons for brewing options. You can easily program it for regular or bold coffee and set the auto-brew time. The buttons have clear markings that are easy to understand. There's no complicated display or controls to deal with.

Cleaning

Keeping the coffee maker clean is simple. The removable filter basket lifts out for fast rinsing or cleaning. The carafe and lid can be cleaned in the dishwasher. There is also a clean cycle that can be run to flush the internal workings.

Set Up

Setting up the coffee maker takes just a few minutes. The water reservoir lifts out from the back to fill at your sink. The filter basket slides into place and can be filled with ground coffee. Programming your preferences is done with just a few button presses. Overall, it's one of the easiest coffee makers to get up and running right out of the box.

Coffee Quality

The Black+Decker CM1160B brews a high quality cup of coffee with excellent taste, aroma, and texture.

Taste

The coffee produced by this machine has a rich, smooth flavor that is never bitter or watery. It extracts the natural oils and acids from the grounds resulting in a balanced cup that is not overly acidic or dark. The auto-brew timer allows you to wake up to a freshly brewed pot that is hot and full of flavor.

Aroma

This coffeemaker does an excellent job of preserving the natural aromas of your favorite coffee beans. As soon as the brew cycle starts, your kitchen will fill with the enticing smell of fresh coffee. The coffee retains its aromatic compounds during the brewing process so your cup is vibrant and fragrant.

Texture

The Black+Decker CM1160B brews coffee with a nice viscosity and mouthfeel. The texture is silky and rich, neither too thin nor too oily. It produces a smooth cup of coffee that is easy to drink cup after cup. The mid-range temperature helps bring out coffee's lush texture.

Pros

• The Black+Decker CM1160 has a simple and intuitive control panel that makes it easy to program and operate. Users mention how the buttons are clearly labeled and easy to understand.

• It brews coffee quickly, taking just a few minutes to go from off to a full pot ready. The velocity brew technology helps speed up the brew time without sacrificing flavor.

• The keep warm feature keeps coffee hot for up to 4 hours after brewing. This is convenient for enjoying several cups or having coffee ready when wanted.

• The removable filter basket and durable glass carafe make cleaning easy. Users comment on how nice it is to simply wash the filter and carafe or throw away and replace paper filters.

Cons

• The water reservoir is relatively small at 12 cups, so you'll need to refill it frequently for larger households. This can be inconvenient if you want to brew a full pot first thing in the morning.

• The max brew size is only 12 cups, which is smaller than some competitors that brew up to 14 cups. This may be limiting if you regularly brew for large gatherings.

• The hot plate only stays warm for 2 hours, which is shorter than some models that will keep coffee hot for 4 hours or more. So you may find the coffee cools down too quickly if you like to sip slowly.

• There is no brew strength control, so you're limited to the standard flavor profile. Other drip coffee makers allow you to customize the boldness of the brew.

Conclusion

The BLACK+DECKER CM1160 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker offers a solid set of features at an affordable price point. This coffee maker is best suited for someone looking for a basic, no-frills drip coffee machine that gets the job done.

The CM1160 brews a pot of coffee quickly and easily. The programmable timer ensures you can wake up to a fresh pot. While it lacks some of the extras of pricier models, like a backlit display or brew strength control, it includes the essentials like an automatic shut-off and pause-and-serve.

The carafe design is convenient, with a wide mouth for easy filling and cleaning. The water window lets you see the water level as you fill it. The coffee it produces is decent, though lacking some richness and body compared to higher-end machines.

Overall, the CM1160 is recommended for anyone seeking an affordable, entry-level programmable coffee maker. It's simple to operate and makes an everyday pot of coffee. More discerning coffee drinkers may want to opt for something with temperature control and other customization abilities. But for basic everyday use, the CM1160 gets the job done reliably.